Student Rights Bill (Amendment - Freedom of Religion and Religious Worship for Students in Educational Institutions), 5785-2025

This bill is intended to ensure that students in educational institutions have the right to observe their religious commandments, wear religious clothing, and pray. The bill stipulates that an educational institution shall allow students to pray on school grounds, at a time and place to be determined by the school administration, while taking into account the study routine and the institution's activities. Furthermore, an educational institution shall allow students to wear religious clothing, as long as it does not compromise safety. Educational institutions shall establish clear procedures, in consultation with student and parent representatives, that will allow for the realization of freedom of religious worship. In addition, educational institutions shall provide a suitable place for prayer, while taking into account the religious needs of the students, and shall conduct educational activities to promote tolerance and religious diversity. The Ministry of Education will oversee the implementation of the law and will set guidelines for educational institutions regarding the realization of freedom of religious worship. The Ministry may also impose sanctions, financial or otherwise, on educational institutions that do not comply with the provisions of the law. The explanatory notes to the bill emphasize that the right to freedom of religion and worship is a fundamental right in a democratic state, and strengthening it in schools contributes to education for tolerance, openness, and respect for religious identity.

Source: הצעת חוק לדיון מוקדם